비단
bidan[ˈpi(ː)da̠n]
비단 (bidan) is the Korean word for silk.
비단 refers to the fabric known as silk. It is the traditional term for this material.
Meaning: fabric (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 비단 is the traditional Korean word for silk, the loanword 실크 is also commonly used in modern contexts, particularly when discussing fashion and textiles.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say that something is 'made of silk', you can use the phrase 비단으로 된. This is constructed by adding the particle –로 (meaning 'with' or 'by means of') to 비단, followed by 된 (the past participle of 'to become' or 'to be made'). Additionally, the word 비단결 combines 비단 (silk) with 결 (texture or grain) to describe a smooth, silk-like texture. This is often used metaphorically to describe hair or skin.
How do you pronounce it?
bidan
Did you know?
- The modern word 비단 actually shares the exact same spelling as the Sino-Korean word for 'not only', which is written as 非但.
- In historical Korea, the government strictly regulated which colors of 비단 could be worn to signal a person's social rank and class.
Examples in context
- 메리는 비단으로 된 드레스를 입고 있어.Mary is wearing a silk dress.This sentence is useful for practicing how to describe a garment made of 비단.Tatoeba #8367129 by Eunhee, translation #8351415 by CK
- 이 옷은 고품질의 실크로 만들어졌어요.This garment is made of high-quality silk.
- 이 스카프는 진짜 비단 같아!This scarf feels like real silk!
- 이 스카프는 비단이에요.i seukapeuneun bidan-ieyo.This scarf is silk.
- 비단은 촉감이 아주 부드러워요.bidaneun chokgami aju budeureowoyo.Silk feels very soft.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Min-jun are looking at traditional fabrics at a market.
- 지은 Ji-eun민준 씨, 이 비단 좀 보세요.Minjun ssi, i bidan jom boseyo.Min-jun, look at this silk.
- 민준 Min-jun와, 정말 반짝거리고 예쁘네요.wa, jeongmal banjjakgeorigo yeppeuneyo.Wow, it's really shiny and pretty.
- 지은 Ji-eun비단이라서 촉감이 아주 좋아요.bidaniraseo chokgami aju joayo.Since it's silk, it feels very nice.
- 민준 Min-jun저도 하나 사고 싶어요.jeodo hana sago sipeoyo.I want to buy one too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “silk” translations and entries 비단, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 비단, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
